We have found, time and time again, that poor cable quality can be responsible for a whole host of problems in both the audio and visual worlds. Many are sceptical about whether or not hi-end cables can really make a difference – hut we assure you, they do. So much so that we (and many other experts) always recommend spending between 5-10% of the value of your hi-fi on cables to match. It may sound a little steep, but you wouldn’t believe just how much of a difference they make. We have a full set up available for bling listening tests in our demo room, and are to change the minds of anyone who isn’t sure. Up for the challenge? Then let us know.
There are only a few companies out there who we trust indefinitely with our cable-needs. And The Chord Company are one of those companies. We’ve been selling Chord Company cables since we first opened our showroom in 2007. Back then, the original Chord Crimson had just come out, hot on the heels of the original Chord Calypso (remember that!) and very shortly received awards from the hi-fi press, along with the Chord Cobra and Chord Chameleon.
The reason to buy good cables has always been to get the best possible sound from your investment in hi-fi – after all, if you’re going to invest in the units themselves, why skimp on what can help realise their full potential? The sound always comes first and we’ve always liked that the Chord range improves upon lesser cables at every stage. There’s also something wonderfully delicious about Chord cables (that’s the only way we can think to put it!) with the different colours through the range: red for Crimson, green for Cobra, blue for Chameleon, all the way up to purple for Indigo and white for the flagship Chord Sarum range. It’s passionate and its visceral and its indulgent. But if you knew anything at all about Chord – you’d know that it’s very much them.
Remember, all prices were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
1. Chord Sarsen Speaker Cable – £6.95 (p/m)
We’ll start with something very affordable: the Sarsen – an improvement on the hugely popular Carnival Silver Screen – is a discreet and flexible cable which packs a powerful sound. And when we say discreet – we’re talking less than 4mm in diameter. And considering it’s tiny frame, it’s still pretty robust. With OFC conductors and a twisted pair configuration, these cables may be budget, but they have plenty to offer, particularly in the sound department.
Why do we like it?
Discretion can be very important in the world of audio cables – and this interconnect offers that nicely, along with a natural, easy going sound.
Why do they like it?
‘The Sarsen [promotes] a sound that’s easy to get on with. Vocals sound refined and natural.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
2. Chord Crimson VEE 3 RCA – £49 (0.5m)
The hugely versatile and reliable Chord Crimson Vee 3 was a version of the very popular Crimson. There have been a number of versions since, but this one has remained a very firm favourite throughout the years. Its attributes only improving the older it gets, and a good ‘budget’ choice of interconnect. The VEE 3 uses two sets of multi-stranded OFC conductors, arranged in a twisted pair configuration, what makes it truly sparkle is it’s protected from interference by a dual layer shield. Whatever your system and whatever components you need, the Crimson VEE 3 can (and will) rise to the challenge.
Why do we like it?
It sounds excellent with a wide variety of kit and walks all over its successors. Hugely impressive whilst still managing to be affordable.
Why do they like it?
‘A nice, easy-going cable.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine Awards October 2013)
3. Chord Chorus Reference 2 XLR Interconnects – £440 (1m)
Contolled, neutral and highly dynamic, the Chorus Reference 2 features a silver-plated signal conductor, triple layer combined shield system, internal and external Teflon insulation and low-mass high-quality XLR plugs which draws it up to being a very high quality XLR interconnect, which is as strong in the bass department as its predecessor, but more refined and balanced.
Why do we like them?
They’re not cheap – but they are special. Perfect for higher end integrated amplifiers (or between pre amplifiers and power amplifiers) that accept balanced XLR connections.If you fancy going a little higher, there is always the Chord Anthem Reference XLR or higher range Chord Signature XLR or Chord Indigo XLR – none of these are cheap, but for any higher end system they make a big difference. We’ve had many customers upgrade and take advantage of 0% finance options when money has been an object.
4. Chord Signature Reference All Black Speaker Cable – £200 (1m)
Some may think that £200 is a little too much to spend on a speaker cable, but when we say that this is on of the finest (if not the finest) speaker cable we have ever heard, some may be partial to changing their minds! Designed to be incredibly neutral, transparent and capable of creating improvements and revealing layers of detail in any system, the Signiature Reference achieves all of that and more. This is thanks to them being built with silver-plated conductors and with PTFE insulation with a high density sheilding. The silver conductors are the two conductors are held in place with a precision machined aluminium clamp (designed to be robust but flexible) and twisted along their length to improve flexibility.
Why do we like them?
Like is too weak a word – we love these cables. There are more expensive alternatives, of course, but as a sheer all-rounder, the Signature cuts it with most speakers and amps we’ve used it with – it’s a sheer all-rounder, with bags of versatility. The All Black version is new in for 2014, but its also available in its original black and red design. Yes, its expensive, but it is a tempting option to get one of the best speaker cables known to man!
5. Chord Purple Mains Cable – £130 (1m)
There are two very hotly contested categories of cables out there. The first is digital cables… which we won’t go into here! The second is the mains cable. Surely a power lead is a power lead – how can a few metres of hi-end cable make a difference when that power has travelled through hundreds of miles of cable since the power station? It’s a fair argument – but not entirely correct. As you all know, in the world of hi-fi any improvement is worth making, and a power cable can still pick up interference in the two metres between the socket to the equipment – and if you can improve upon, why not? The Purple is an excellent way of making that very improvement, and a good way to round off your hi-end system.
Why do we like it?
We have had some excellent feedback about the Purple in a number of categories – it’s very effective in audio, but also dramatically enhances the picture quality when used with CD screens and the like. In essence, it’s an excellent all-rounder and a very versatile cable, worth a purchase no matter what you’re planning on using it for.
When we say the world of cables in vast, we mean it. And Chord’s contribution is a pretty sizeable chunk that we could sing the praises of for pages and pages. Chord have proven, time and time again, that yes cables do make a difference, and the higher end your system the more of a difference they make. What’s-more, if you want the best, go to true music lovers and musicians. If they know what it’s supposed to sound like – they can help reproduce it.
A BRIEF HISTORY
It all began in 1985 – in deepest, darkest Wiltshire where it still remains to this very day! Sally Kennedy formed the company in order to make and sell the Chord Chrysalis interconnect range – a cable that proved so popular and so well-made that it formed the foundation for the Chord Company that is still going from strength to strength to this very day. Their popularity began to soar when the Chord Cobra won the What Hi-Fi? Award for Best Interconnect, and their habit of winning just continued from there.
Founded by musicians and music lovers (something which hasn’t changed to this very day, they have told us. Everyone there either is in a band or has been in one), Chord do what they do for the love of the music – and getting that music to sound as good as they possibly can. They do what they do very much for their sheer passion, and much less for the business. Which explains their creation of the Cable Doctor – i.e. their Technical Director Nigel Finn and his accomplice David May. This is an entirely free service in which the Doctors can access and recommend the cables you need – it’s a complicated business – or even diagnose the problems in your hi-fi and help where they can.
Over the years they have produced a huge range of award winning cables, and many versions have sprung from those. So we have condensed it down to our five favourites, and exactly why we love them as much as we do.